Articles tagged with Agricultural Engineering
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A study by Rice University finds that agricultural nitrogen emissions cause substantial damage to air quality, human health, and the climate. The researchers quantified emissions from fertilized soils over three years and found that ammonia had a much larger impact on damages than nitrogen oxides and nitrous oxide.
A team of mathematicians from the University of Texas at Arlington is leading a national initiative to equip students with skills in climate-smart agriculture. The project aims to increase workforce diversity and create technology- and data-savvy workforces.
A new study suggests that sustainable irrigation can boost crop productivity to feed 1.4 billion more people, reducing environmental impacts and clearing natural land for agriculture. However, climate change may complicate this calculus, requiring additional research on water management strategies.
A Washington State University research team developed a system using cameras and small drones to detect and deter pest birds. The system successfully reduced bird counts by four-fold in vineyards, resulting in a 50% reduction in damaged fruits. Further refinement and industry partnerships are needed for commercialization.
Researchers have identified a cork-like substance called suberin that helps protect rice roots from floods and drought. By understanding how suberin is produced, they hope to use gene editing or selective breeding to make the crop more resilient to climate change.
Researchers discovered hundreds of new gene functions in algae, which have counterparts in plants, enabling better understanding of photosynthesis, DNA repair, and stress responses. The findings can improve biofuel production and develop heat-tolerant crops.
Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST) have identified a stem rust resistance gene in Aegilops sharonensis and transferred it to common wheat. The new transgenic wheat lines show high levels of resistance to the stem rust pathogen, providing hope for mitigating the devastating effects of climate change.
A new UC Riverside study finds that the timing of rainfall is crucial for drought-stricken plants, with summer rains resulting in higher plant biomass. In contrast, winter rains have less impact on plant growth and may lead to negative effects.
A Stanford University team developed a solar-powered technology to improve the quality and quantity of dried agricultural produce, increasing incomes for smallholder farmers in India. The equipment boosted prices by 14-22% compared to traditional open-air sun drying methods.
Researchers used single cell RNA-sequencing to identify specific cells and genes in maize roots responsible for nitrate uptake. The study provides valuable insights into optimizing root nutrient uptake ability in crops.
Researchers at RIKEN CSRS have developed a non-transgenic method to modify plant genes using a bioactive molecule spray, which can be used to improve crop yield and resistance to pests. The technique has shown promising results in improving economically desirable quality traits in crops.
Swine waste lagoon construction dates have been established for the first time using satellite imagery, providing insights into their environmental impact. The study focused on North Carolina and found that approximately 16% of lagoons were already in place before 1987.
The study analyzes the costs and effectiveness of climate change adaptation measures in agriculture, highlighting integration of different techniques as a key factor. Climate smart agriculture and conservation agriculture can provide benefits in terms of both adaptation and mitigation of climate change.
The Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization has awarded more than $143,000 to three projects led by researchers in the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Veterinary Medicine. Guri Johal is developing a corn variant that could impact worldwide corn production with Trask funds supporting his project on clon...
The study found that efficient metabolic processes and recycling of components used by the enzyme RuBisCO significantly speed up photosynthesis in Chlorella ohadii. This discovery could lead to improving photosynthesis efficiency in other plants, developing new engineering tools for sustainable food production.
Scientists develop a sensitive electrochemical detector using cerium oxide nanozyme to identify organophosphate pesticides in plants. The method provides an unprecedented wider linear range and a detection limit of 0.06 mmol/L, making it suitable for detecting trace amounts of pesticide residues.
Researchers are working on developing low-cost, environmentally benign materials that can selectively remove nutrients from municipal and agricultural wastewaters. The goal is to create novel materials for the recovery of phosphates and nitrates, which could become valuable, environmentally friendly fertilizers for agricultural fields.
A new study from the University of Illinois explores the use of near-infrared spectroscopy to measure moisture content in real-time during the drying process of coated and uncoated apple chips. The technology offers several advantages, including speed, accuracy, and sustainability, over traditional methods.
Lignocellulose, a plant-based material, can be used to create light-reactive surfaces for windows or materials that react to certain chemicals. By customizing lignocellulose, researchers can improve light absorption and achieve better operating efficiency in solar cells.
Researchers discovered a novel type of bivalent chromatin that enables plants to quickly produce defense compounds like camalexin in response to pathogens. This understanding could inform strategies to improve crop yields and combat global hunger.
Researchers are developing insect-like robots for agriculture, mining, and space exploration using dynamic force sensing and agile movement. The goal is to create robots that can navigate difficult terrains and interact safely with humans.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a three-phase approach to optimize the hydraulic systems of tractors and implements. The team built a simulation model and tested it in a lab before conducting real-world tests on a tractor-planter combo. The results show improved efficiency, reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
The Center for Research on Programmable Plant Systems (CROPPS) aims to create systems that enable plants to communicate their hidden biology to sensors, optimizing growth and the local environment. This will lead to breakthrough discoveries, new educational opportunities, and transformative management of crops.
The institute will develop predictive digital twins of individual crop plants and entire farm fields, integrating real-time data from sensors to optimize crop growth. By leveraging expertise in plant sciences, engineering, and technology, AIIRA aims to accelerate agricultural productivity and sustainability.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology modeled dynamic instability in tractor operation, revealing that self-excited oscillations can arise when the tractor pushes against the ground. The model showed that power hop can occur based on draft load, soil, and tire conditions.
Researchers have discovered that extracts from the invasive weed Andropogon virginicus show promise in treating type 2 diabetes and blood cancer by inhibiting cell damage and killing cancer cells. The team plans to further test the compounds and develop functional pharmaceuticals.
Hongwei Xin, UT AgResearch Dean, is recognized for his global leadership skills in animal production environment, welfare, and sustainability. He has published over 600 refereed journal articles and has worked on various initiatives to facilitate linkages between academics, research, and economic development.
Alvin R. Womac, a professor at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, has been recognized as an ASABE Fellow for his contributions to equipment systems for spray application technology and biomass logistics systems. His research has led to improvements in pesticide spray application safety and environmental impact.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology developed a bouncing ball model to predict tractor overturns. The model aims to reduce the rate of overturned tractors, a leading cause of death for farmers worldwide.
The ASU/MCC project aims to develop an experiential learning course, fund master's-level students, and engage the community in addressing challenges at the urban-agriculture nexus. Students will conduct research on topics such as urban agriculture production systems and food safety.
Lone Oaks Farm in Tennessee will receive a $1 million challenge grant from FedEx Corp to establish a STEM Education Center. The center will provide youth education and 4-H activities, with the goal of igniting excitement about STEM among students.
A team of six MSU professors aim to increase women's representation in agricultural science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. They will provide an online course targeting freshman and sophomore students, highlighting the diversity of roles and contributions by women currently working in agricultural careers.
The NSF INCLUDES program aims to create paths to STEM for underrepresented populations, expanding the nation's leadership and talent pools. The new awards will develop blueprints for collaborative change among public-private partners to address broadening participation challenges.
The study analyzed rice straws using integrated analytical techniques, revealing the presence of cellulose and glucose. Glucose levels were found to be influenced by starch levels, paving the way for efficient production of biochemical and biofuels in the future.
Researchers have found that green walls are suitable for absorbing environmental noise and acting as acoustic insulation, improving life quality and reducing pollution. The study also shows that green walls can be effective in high and low frequencies, making them a potential solution for acoustic insulation.
A team of Kansas State University engineers and students have developed customized devices and software to help children with severe developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders and cerebral palsy. The technology, supported by a $125,000 grant from the National Science Foundation, aims to improve their health and qua...
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a system that concentrates foodborne salmonella and other pathogens faster than traditional methods, enabling potential routine analysis within a single work shift. The device uses hollow thread-like fibers to filter out cells and recovers up to 70% of living pathogen cells.
A team of researchers has developed a product that makes corn-derived plastics more heat-tolerant, allowing them to be used in hot-filling applications. The heat-deflection temperature modifier is fully biodegradable and up to 90% corn-based.
Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists are working to understand the causes of heat stress in cattle and develop management strategies to mitigate its effects. They have identified 11 influential factors contributing to animal susceptibility, including coat color, health history, and temperament.
Robert Wolf, associate professor of biological and agricultural engineering at K-State, was named a 2009 Fellow of the American Association of Pesticide Safety Educators. He is recognized for his contributions to drift mitigation programming and training, resulting in a 25% reduction of drift incidents over the past decade.
Agricultural plastics, such as mulch films and nursery pots, are difficult to recycle due to their varied types and dirtiness. Penn State researcher James Garthe has developed a method to convert these plastics into plastic nuggets that can be burned with coal, producing energy 20 times greater than conventional recycling methods.
This special journal issue examines the success of ecological engineering in dealing with environmental problems in Central and Eastern Europe. The topics include remediation efforts around the Chernobyl nuclear plant, use of wetlands to filter heavy metals from industrial waste water, and treatment of acidified soils.